The Monthly Recap Issue #14

Welcome back to the monthly recap: a deep dive into the best things I’ve been eating, reading, and consuming over the last month. In this month’s issue you’ll find my most-used kitchen item, my favorite SPFs for summer, the best smashburger in SF, new additions to the San Francisco guide, and so much more.

June is my favorite month. Summer has barely begun and the next few months hold so much possibility. I spent a lot of time frolicking outside this month, often going out for lunch and not coming home until well after dinner. There were mid-day brownie ice cream sundaes during an SF heatwave, a weekend in Connecticut celebrating my niece’s first birthday and checking off items on my summer bucket list. I clocked in for my quarterly shift at my favorite bakery, learned how to shuck oysters, signed a new client, and celebrated one year of marriage.

This month Room to Grow also surpassed 500 subscribers and I was honored to be featured in a few of my favorite publications:

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1. These poplin pants have become a staple WFH outfit. Technically they’re pajamas, but they’re really lightweight and breathable and perfect for the warmer months. I also wore them to dinner multiple times during my honeymoon in Italy last year.

2. I am constantly getting compliments on my eye makeup thanks to this eyeshadow crayon. It adds a solid punch of color, lasts all day, is super easy to apply, and doesn’t crease.

3. SPF is a daily staple in my routine (it should be for you too), but in the warmer months I’m reaching for ones that are lighter and more hydrating so that they can double as my moisturizer and won’t leave my skin feeling heavy. My two favorites right now are this one and this one.

4. I bought these sunglasses over a year ago and I still wear them every single day.

5. This anti-frizz smoothing spray, which doubles as a heat protectant, is another fantastic recommendation from my hair stylist. I use it as a leave-in and have gone through several bottles over the last couple years.

6. I’ve also added this lip SPF to my beauty lineup and am pleased to report that it doesn’t irritate my lips.

7. I keep this SPF Face Mist in my purse at all times so I can easily put sunscreen on my part, or reapply anywhere on my body while on the go.

8. A geometric pillow for my 80s-inspired living room from one of my favorite homeware brands.

9. This mini cutting board is one of my most-used kitchen items. Not only is it extremely visually pleasing, but it’s the perfect size for cutting up all of the fruit and vegetables on my daily snack plates. I want to get the green and white one too.

10. I have become one of those people who has multiple body washes in their shower at once. This one is is extra hydrating and makes any shower feel more luxurious.

You can shop all of my monthly favorites here.

Strawberries & Cream Cake
For our one year anniversary, I wanted to make a version of our strawberries and cream wedding cake. I used this sponge cake as the base (I skipped the glaze), and topped with with a homemade strawberry jam and mascarpone whipped cream, which is my new favorite dessert topping.

Lime Squiggle Cookies (from What’s for Dessert? by Claire Saffitz)
I'm currently baking my way through this cookbook and these cookies were fantastic. They kind of taste like a key lime pie version of the butter cookies I included in my holiday cookie boxes last year. And because they’re piped freehand, making them is akin to completing an art project.

Strawberry Spoon Cake
I realized I had a pint of heavy cream in the fridge that was about to expire, and my favorite way to ensure it doesn’t go to waste is to make a batch of homemade whipped cream. I then made this incredibly simple Strawberry Spoon Cake to eat with the homemade whipped cream.

Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke
As soon as I finished reading this book I immediately texted a friend of mine to meet for coffee so that we could discuss. I have so many thoughts, and while I did really enjoy reading it, I ultimately felt like something was missing. Regardless, it’s going to make a great movie and one I’ll absolutely be seeing in theaters.

Grape Juice by Eliza Dumais
If you aren’t familiar with 831 Stories, let this be your sign to pick up one of their books. They publish modern romance novellas, all of which have accompanying digital content (like epilogues and fan fiction) published on their website. Their merch game is also fantastic. My favorite thing about these books is that the short length means the stories get straight to the good stuff and don’t waste anytime.

In Pieces by Sally Field
I’ll never forget the first time I watched Steel Magnolias, having rented it on VHS one summer, and absolutely sobbing throughout the entire second half of the movie. A few weeks later, we rented Norma Rae, and ever since I have loved Sally Field. I was reminded of this book when she showed up as a semi-regular guest star in ER, and knowing next to nothing about her off-screen life, I really enjoyed listening to this. There’s something about her voice that is so comforting to me, and while her story isn’t the happiest, it was a fascinating listen and one that I can’t stop thinking about.

Yuja
A new go-to for lunch and dinner downtown (they’re open until 8pm). Get the Yuja Teriyaki bowl and definitely don’t skip the housemade froyo with lemon curd and blueberry sauce.

Maillards
My new favorite smashburger in SF, and the chicken bites are also fantastic. I went on a Friday around 5:30pm and only hate to wait 45 minutes from the time we got in line to the time we got our food.

Cotogna
I went to Cotogna for the first time four years ago and haven’t stopped thinking about their Corn Triangoli since. This month, my husband and I had dinner there to celebrate our anniversary and thankfully, it’s Corn Triangoli season. It’s just as good, maybe even better, than I remembered. Other stand-out dishes include the Fiore de Zucca pizza, the Salmon Crudo, the Blueberry Meringata, and the Chocolate Budino from the current menu.

The Jay Hotel
As part of our anniversary celebrations, my husband and I booked a staycation at The Jay hotel, ordered a ton of room service for breakfast, and watched almost the entirety of the new season of The Bear. I’ve stayed at the Jay before and always have the best time. Even if you’re not staying there, their lobby is a great place to get some work done.

Kissaten Hi-Fi
Really creative and delicious Filipino-inspired coffee, and a great place to catch up with a friend on a Saturday afternoon.

Looking for more San Francisco recs? Checkout the Ultimate Guide to San Francisco: 300+ restaurants, coffee shops, bakeries, boutiques, and more that need to be on your radar.

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